Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of antiviral drugs, particularly in the production of nucleoside analogs. Its protected hydroxyl groups allow selective chemical modifications, making it valuable in pharmaceutical research for developing compounds with targeted biological activity. Commonly employed in the preparation of modified nucleosides that inhibit viral replication, especially in hepatitis and HIV treatments. The silyl protecting groups enhance stability during synthesis and can be removed under mild conditions to reveal active hydroxyl sites for further reaction steps.